Woundabout

April 20, 2015
Recently orphaned when their fathers—who trained bomb-sniffing capybaras—were killed in an explosion, siblings Connor, 11, and Cordelia, nine, have no relatives except their Aunt Marigold, who they have never met. When they arrive in the town of Woundabout, along with a surviving capybara, Connor and Cordelia discover that their aunt’s home is just as “weird” as their fathers had hinted—the town has no Internet service, the mayor doesn’t allow questions, and everyone in Woundabout is expected to stick to a predictable daily routine. When the mayor’s prized artifact goes missing, Cordelia and Connor decide to track it down. With the help of a boy named Nico, they begin to uncover the truth behind Woundabout’s origins and strange traditions in a fairy tale–like novel that weaves a gentle spell as it builds to a dramatic, satisfying conclusion. Lev Rosen (All Men of Genius) sensitively addresses change, growth, and painful emotions like grief, while Ellis Rosen’s b&w illustrations are alternately haunting, comedic, and poignant, in keeping with the overall tone of the story. Ages 8–12. Agent: Joy Tutela, David Black Literary Agency.

March 15, 2015
A cliff-top river town, subterranean tunnels, and gearwork essentials figure in an intriguing steampunk fantasy.Connor and Cordelia King, ages 11 and 9, have been recently orphaned. Their parents, two men who raised bomb-sniffing capybaras on their ranch, were killed when a capybara training device exploded. Now the children and the only remaining capybara, Kip, have traveled to a small town to live with an aunt. The children quickly realize that Woundabout has a secret. It is curiously inert: there's no Internet, matches won't light, the river doesn't flow, the park is grimly barren, construction sites are vacant, and the mayor regards the arrival of children with deep suspicion and concern. Connor, with his love of things structural and architectural, notices the odd way the town fits together. Cordelia, who loves photography, observes much of the world through the lens of her camera. The town's name hints at its origin story, meshing gearwork and the four classical elements (earth, air, water, and fire), as well as at a more solemn theme: everyone in Woundabout has been injured in some way; each is looking for healing. Loss, death, and sadness are each acknowledged as a powerful impetus to change. Moments of humor include Aunt Marigold's inability to remember Kip's species name ("snappy llama," "chatty ferret"), while abundant black-and-white illustrations add a friendly note. Appealing and pleasingly thoughtful. (Fiction. 9-12)

February 1, 2015

Gr 3-6-After their parents' recent death, siblings Connor and Cordelia as well as Kip, their pet capybara, must leave their home to live with their Aunt Marigold. They know little about their aunt because she always lived so far away in a strange town called Woundabout. The children soon discover that Woundabout is a place ruled by the Mayor, a man who rejects questions, values routine above all else, and detests change. Connor and Cordelia are the only children in town, and though some people are happy to see them, many are distraught by their presence. They soon stumble upon a boy, not from the town, who informs them that he stole something of the Mayor's but has now lost it and needs their help. Connor and Cordelia find this missing item and discover that it does amazing things-whether the Mayor and Woundabout are ready for it or not. The setting takes some getting used to, as do the characters, who lack individual personalities apart from having unique interests and hobbies. Some secondary characters seem thrown in and do little to enrich the narrative. The story itself is original, and though the pacing starts out slowly, once invested, readers will speed through to the end. Black-and-white interior illustrations enhance the tale and add overall appeal. A generous font size and ample images may make this an option for some reluctant readers. VERDICT This is a touching story about the importance of change despite the hardships of life.-Kristyn Dorfman, The Packer Collegiate Institute, Brooklyn, NY

Copyright 2015 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

May 15, 2015
Grades 3-6 I feel like this town is keeping things from us, says Connor to Cordelia, Woundabout's two new residents. After an unfortunate accident on their parents' capybara ranch leaves them orphaned, the siblings come to live with their aunt Marigold in this cliff-side town. Woundabout is stagnant and strange: its roads wind for no reason, there is no Internet, matches won't light, plants won't grow, and questions are forbidden. When a mysterious object is stolen from the mayor's house, Connor and Cordelia decide to look for it with the help of their capybara, Kip, and Gray, their aunt's butler, unlocking Woundabout's great secret in the process. This light mystery keeps itself on the right side of quirkiness, giving off a cozy charm. Pen-and-ink illustrations are scattered throughout, offering snapshots of the siblings' explorations and the colorful characters about town. Connor and Cordelia's willingness to make the best of their new life helps them cope with their parents' deaths and teaches the people of Woundabout a vital lesson in the power of change.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2015, American Library Association.)